Overcheck spreader or bar



(N0 Mddel.) I I M. F. ANDERSON.

OVERGHEGK SPREADER OR BAR.

NO. 357,112. Pafle'nted Feb 1, 1887.

N4 PETERS. PhmmLllhngranhur. wuhlngiqri 0.0

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILLARD F. ANDERSON, OF COLUMBIA CITY, INDIANA.

,OVERC'HECK SPREADER on BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,112, dated February 1, 1887.

Application filed January 27, 1886. Serial No. 189,983. (No model.)

' clare that the following isva'full, clear,'and experforation.

act description of the invention, which will enable others'skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the, accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved over-check spreader or bar. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing all its parts separated.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

This invention relates to overcheck-spreaders or check-eases for securing thecli'eck-reins to the water-hook, and has for its object to produce a device which shall be simple, strong, and cheaply made; and it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

' In the accompanying drawings, B B represent a piece of wire or a small bar having a screw-thread, a a, at each end. This wire or bar is bent into a loop, b, at its middle, having the ends of the loop, F F, approaching each other, but not touching, and the bar being then bent or curved outward, so that theends form a right angle with theloop. Upon each end of this wire is secured a cap, D, which is provided with a longitudinal screw-threaded A bail or strap, E, is secured to the rear side of each of these caps, the ends of the bail being preferably bent at right angles to the central portion and secured to the ends of the cap,which thus forms a square recess or opening, through which the check-rein passes. As the perforation in the cap D extends nearly its entire length, the screwupon the rear portion of the cap, so that the.

strain comes directly upon the cap and the end ofthe wire,the bail being only for-the purpose of keeping the rein in its place upon the cap. The water-hook can be passed directly through the loop I), or it can be passed into it between the ends of the loop, as they do not touch each other, and can be sprung apart, thus afiording better means of securingit than if the ends of the loop were closed and the end of the waterhook could only be passed directly through the loop. .One of the main objects ofa good overcheck-spreader is that it will yield or spring sufficiently to prevent the breaking of the check-rein in casethe horse should stumble or fall, and that the ends will not project so far upon either side as to be unsightly, or to throw the checks too far from the neck of the horse.

This is secured in my invention by having the mouth of the loop I) open, or by having the bent portions F F of the wire or bar at that point approaching each other, but not touching, and by having the ends of the wire then project at right angles to the loop, and by having the caps at the ends of the wire perforated r nearly their entire length, and by having the bail at the rear of the cap, so that the bearing and strain of the reinsare brought within the ends of the wire itself. As the center of the loop is secured upon the water-hook the ends of the wire can be drawn forward to a considerable extent, on account of the spring-of the loop itself, until the mouth of the loop is closed by the bent portions of the wire touching each other. When this occurs, the wire between the loop and the ends can still be sprung, while the caps at the ends of thewires are drawn forward,so that the breaking of the check-rein is prevented. As soon, however, as the strain is taken oft the check the spreader will resume its original position, and be ready for the next strain that is brought upon it.

The entire spreader or bar may be finished for market inimitation rubber, nickel, silver, or gold plate, as desired. The entire spreader is to be a combination of steel and cast-iron or brass, and is to be constructed as set forth.

Having described my invention, I clain1- 1. The combination,- in a check bar or spreader, of the elastic wire B B, bent to form the central open-mouthed loop, I), the ends F 13 of said loop being adapted to be forced toforation extending nearly its entire length ward each other, and having the ends curved and having the bail E secured upon its rear outward at right angles therewith, and termi side, the ends of said bails being secured to nal caps secured upon each end, having means, the ends of said caps.

substantially as described, for securing the In testimony that I claim the foregoing as check to said caps. my own I have hereunto affixed my signature 2. The combination, in a check bar or in presence of two witnesses.

spreader, of the elastic wire B B, having the MILLARD F. ANDERSON.

central loop, and its ends a screw-threaded, Witnesses:

andthe terminal cap D secured upon each end, A. P. MILTON,

each of said caps havingascrew-threaded per- JAMES M. HARRISON. 

